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Hi,

I've got a gig coming up with a lot of new people from a new job and one of the things I'd like to work on is audience involvement. I'm doing a Jazz/Pop gig at a little restaurant so it's not a huge venue, but I want my friends to have a good time. I'd like to tell some jokes or have a good way to give away my CD's, or invite people to participate in a song or something. I'd just like some ideas or maybe experiences some of you have had.

Thanks!
Diane

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Diane,

I used to have people take out their keys and jingle them for percussion. I had them do the "side to side" shake for a long jingle and the "up and down" shake to keep time. Warn them about hitting their knuckles with the "up and down" shake.

Announce the title of the first and second songs. Before the third song, give a cd away to whomever can tell you the titles of the first two.

Free cds for the person who drove farthest; lived closest; had a piece of sugerless gum, a paper clip, an honest to goodness wind up watch, or if you have an adult audience, a feminine...well...uh....you know (foot now blushing). Better yet, give a cd to the first man who brings it up to you.

Have a good time.

Mike


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I bring a sack of tomatos so I can throw them back at the audience.

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I also encourage singing along, either by doing a couple of popular covers, or by teaching them the chorus for a kooky song.


Vikki Flawith: Songwriter/Composer, Singer/Voice Teacher

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When imploring people to buy my CD's I tell them to please support my crack habit, as well as get my ex-Wives off my back!{Kidding about the former, serious about the latter.}


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I have tossed a CD into the audience - that gets their attention and keeps 'em on their toes smile

Emily

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Best audience-participation thing I ever ran across was the Bongettes. Haven't used it myself (though I think I havea couple of songs it'd work with).

Mostly, I just try to make audiences feel comfortable. They came to see/hear me/us, after all, so I figure tey kinda know what to expect. I just try to convey the general we's-all-in-the-living-room-and-gonna-have-a-good-time feeling.

Yes, sing-alongs are good. I pretty much don't do covers, though, since I can't sing 'em--but I've got a bunch of my songs that are good sing-alongs, and it's surprising how many people know them.

I don't give away CDs. I make sure people understand they are for sale. (However, I regularly trade CDs with other musicians, and I do give them to radio station DJs, club owners, and the like. But not to the general public.)

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give away a cd for the best couple on the dance floor for a particular number...have the audience pick the winner by way of applause, that way even those that didn't dance are participating...have fun...or a sing along come help me sing, or the hokey pokey...ha...mj

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I saw Tom Chapin (or one of the Chapin boys) do the "keys rhythm" thing that Mike mentions above, and it worked out very well. It actually sounded pretty good.

Kevin


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Always be yourself. If you find something amusing around the venue that you noticed you may be able to work it into your act. A news story that you can use may be something you can use if you are confortable with it. Traffic conditions are always good to use or the weather, too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, etc.

As you continue to do gigs you can develope a routine that works.


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I had a friend who used to play the Cab Calloway classic "Minnie The Moocher",(the Hi-Dee-Ho song). When he got to the chorus he would have the men in the audience sing "Hi-Dee-Ho", then the women would sing "Hi-Dee-Hi". Then the whole audience would try to sing the "Scat" part. It worked very well.

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Diane,
My two things to keep in mind....and rules I try to live by:

1. I'm a musician, not a comedian. My warped sense of humor is often not understood by folks who don't know me. Therefore, I don't try to be funny onstage. I break this rule alot.... and regret it. lol!

2. No matter what you say, speak slowly and enunciate your words clearly. Other than an out of tune guitar, nothing bugs me more than not being able to understand what he/she is trying to tell me. Pay attention to their faces, if they can't understand, they'll have that look of confusion. if you're using a soundperson and reverb/delay, have them turn them down when you speak.

good luck!
Dave

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They participated enough if they just showed up!


Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
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Great ideas everyone, thank you! And you are so right John, if they show up that's really pretty amazing in itself! :-)

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Originally Posted by Moker Jarrett
give away a cd for the best couple on the dance floor for a particular number...have the audience pick the winner by way of applause, that way even those that didn't dance are participating...have fun...or a sing along come help me sing, or the hokey pokey...ha...mj


Hey, Moker! Thanks for the idea. My last band did a version of The Hokey Pokey with lyrics as Shakespeare would have written them (we performed at Renaissance Festivals; our sound was similar to the Andrews Sisters). It would be a stitch to get someone on stage to do the motions.


Jeannie


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